New Delhi: It is possible that the Pakistani authorities examined an Indian Army helicopter that strayed into their territory a month ago and was returned the same day, Defence Minister AK Antony informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
"It is possible that the Pakistani authorities may have examined the helicopter," Antony said in reply to a question from members in the Upper House.
He was asked whether it is a fact that an Indian Army helicopter strayed into Pakistan air space on October 23 and whether the Pakistani Army thoroughly examined the chopper while it was in its custody.
The Cheetah helicopter from the Indian Army's aviation corps carrying three officers and a Junior Commissioned Officer from Leh to Bimbhat in Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir strayed into Pakistani territory on October 23 and landed in Skardu along the Line of Control inside Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The chopper was in the Pakistani Army's custody for over four hours before Pakistan allowed it to return to Kargil with the four Indian Army personnel later in the day.
The Pakistani gesture of returning the helicopter with the Indian Army men in such a short time was hailed as a mark of confidence building measures between the two traditional rivals.
IANS
First Published: Wednesday, November 23, 2011, 15:58